Justice Minister Rutthapol addresses DSI bribery probe and defamation suit

Thailand's Justice Minister, Pol. Lt. Gen. Rutthapol Naowarat, has announced that the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is establishing a committee to conduct a serious disciplinary inquiry into two DSI officials. The investigation follows the arrest of former Pheu Thai candidate Pratwit Jaruratchakul, also known as ‘Phuyai Heng,’ who was accused of soliciting bribes by promising to influence local government official recruitment processes.

Separately, Minister Rutthapol expressed support for a defamation lawsuit filed against him by lawyer Phattharaphong Supaksorn (Lawyer Aun). The lawsuit concerns remarks made by the Minister that allegedly damaged the lawyer's reputation and family. Rutthapol stated that he welcomes the legal proceedings as an opportunity to present facts and evidence in court, while noting that certain social media clips may have presented his previous interviews out of context.